Arsenal's Chamakh could return to Bordeaux

Bordeaux may be set to throw Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh a lifeline, claiming there "is a serious chance" the Morocco international will return to his former Ligue 1 employers.

Chamakh has struggled to win a place in Arsene Wenger's starting XI since making a free transfer to the Gunners in 2010. The 28-year-old is yet to make his first Premier League appearance this season, and featured only 19 times in all competitions last term.

However, Bordeaux chairman Jean-Louis Triaud suggested on Friday evening that the French club are interested in luring Chamakh back to Stade Chaban Delmas either on loan or on a permanent deal.

It is not the first time Bordeaux have made their admiration of the striker known, but Chamakh's wages could once again prove a stumbling block in negotiations.

"There is a serious chance Chamakh could return," Triaud said. "Money is the key question because salaries in the Premier League are enormous but it's also necessary for him to play.

"In December 2011 I sent a message to say the door was open for a return but he wanted to stay. Now the message is there again with the same objective."

Bordeaux are currently in sixth place on the Ligue 1 table after eight matches, and signed just three players in the summer. Arsenal, meanwhile, are reportedly chasing Atletico Madrid's Adrian Lopez, Athletic Bilbao's Fernando Llorente and Palermo's Abel Hernandez when the transfer window re-opens in January.